Gaza holds funeral for 112 victims recovered nearl…
Funeral prayers have been held in Gaza for 112 Palestinians whose bodies were recovered nearly three years after the destruction of residential buildings in the Al-Sabra neighborhood during the 2023 Gaza conflict. The remains were retrieved from beneath the rubble following an extended rescue operation, bringing long-awaited closure to many grieving families.
According to local civil defense authorities, the bodies were recovered after approximately 136 hours of continuous search and rescue efforts at the site of collapsed residential buildings in Gaza City. The operation was carried out under challenging conditions, including damaged infrastructure, limited heavy machinery, and shortages of fuel.
The funeral procession drew large crowds as mourners carried flag-draped coffins to the cemetery. Family members and residents gathered to pay their final respects, with many expressing the pain of waiting years before they could bury their loved ones. Several families reportedly lost multiple relatives in the same incident, making the ceremony particularly emotional.
Civil defense officials stated that many of those recovered belonged to the Abu Sharia family, while around 40 children were among the victims identified. Authorities also warned that an estimated 157 additional bodies may still remain trapped beneath the rubble, highlighting the scale of the destruction and the ongoing recovery challenge.
The buildings collapsed during an Israeli airstrike on November 22, 2023, in the Al-Sabra area of Gaza City. According to Palestinian authorities, more than 300 people were killed in the attack. Due to the intensity of the bombardment and the limited rescue capabilities at the time, only a small number of bodies were initially recovered, leaving many victims buried beneath the debris.
Israeli authorities have previously stated that military operations in Gaza target armed groups and military infrastructure, while emphasizing that measures are taken to reduce civilian casualties. The humanitarian impact of the conflict, however, has been widely documented by international organizations, which have repeatedly called for greater protection of civilians.
Meanwhile, Türkiye, Egypt, and Qatar have expressed concern over reported violations of the Gaza ceasefire and urged all parties to fully implement the terms of the agreement. The three countries stressed the importance of protecting civilians, hospitals, and medical facilities in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Rescue workers continue to search through destroyed neighborhoods, warning that thousands of people may still be missing beneath collapsed structures across Gaza. They say recovery efforts remain slow because of damaged infrastructure, equipment shortages, and difficult working conditions. The latest mass funeral serves as a solemn reminder of the lasting human cost of the conflict and the enduring grief faced by affected families.
